FCTA Partners Religious Leaders to Boost Child Immunisation in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has launched a renewed campaign to improve child immunisation coverage and reduce resistance to vaccination across Abuja.

The initiative, driven by the Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), began on Thursday with a press briefing at the FCT Public Health Emergency Operations Center.

During the event, the Mandate Secretary of HSES, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, called on parents, schools, and community leaders to support the ongoing Measles-Rubella vaccination exercise, which falls under the Child Rights Act of 2003.

She stated that the immunisation services provided in the FCT are free, safe, and available to every child.Dr. Fasawe also announced that the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has approved free enrolment into the FCT Health Insurance Scheme for children in public schools who complete their vaccination.

The Administration, she added, has started enforcing relevant laws against those who prevent or fail to present their children for vaccination. Parents, guardians, and school operators who disobey these laws may face sanctions under the Child Rights Act.

According to Dr. Fasawe, Sections 13 and 14 of the Act require parents and institutions to ensure every child receives full immunisation, noting that denying access to vaccines is a violation of a child’s right to health.

Following the media briefing, advocacy visits were carried out in various mosques and Islamic centres across the city, including the Ansar-ud-Deen Society and Al-Habibiyyah Islamic Foundation.

The outreach continued on Sunday in several churches, such as the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), and Christ Holy Church International.

The sensitisation visits were led by Dr. Fasawe and formed part of a citywide effort to ensure that every child—whether in school, at home, or in worship centres—is reached and protected against preventable diseases.

At the same time, other immunisation teams were deployed across communities, including remote and hard-to-reach areas, to achieve full coverage and ensure that no child is left out.

During the exercise, religious leaders and community representatives praised the Administration’s approach to promoting child health. They encouraged parents to take advantage of the campaign and present their children for vaccination, describing it as an important step in protecting the younger generation.Dr. Fasawe explained that the campaign involves a wide network of partners and community stakeholders, including traditional rulers, faith-based groups, non-governmental organisations, civil society groups, and partners such as the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), UNICEF, WHO, and IVACA.

She added that teams have moved across all six area councils of the FCT to ensure large-scale participation.Parents turned out in impressive numbers with their children and appreciated the Administration for creating awareness through community engagement and gift distribution, which made the exercise more welcoming for families.

To maintain full compliance, the Secretariat has identified schools yet to meet vaccination requirements and issued reminder letters. A three-day mop-up exercise has also been launched with the support of NPHCDA and other health partners to reach remaining children and guarantee that all eligible children across Abuja receive their vaccines.